Walton defeats the Lambert Longhorns to become 2019 6A-7A State Champions!! #FINSHEDbusiness

Sad News

Walton Family,

It is with a sad and heavy heart that we let the Walton family know of the passing of Mark Kaish on Sept 13. Mark leaves behind his immediate family - wife Missy, daughters Kathryn and Mary Charles and son Ned Kaish amongst others in his extended family.

Mark could easily be called the “God Father” of Walton Lacrosse. Mark was at the forefront of bringing Walton Lacrosse into the realm of being one of the most competitive programs in the State having been involved with the program on every level since 2005.

Few if any have had a bigger impact on Walton Lacrosse. Mark was one of the original a pioneers of East Cobb lacrosse before the formation of Greyder lacrosse (Greyhounds and Raiders) and ultimately Walton Jr Lacrosse. Mark coached at every level as his son Ned and daughter Kathryn progressed through the program and was a Coach and mentor to so many.

Mark was also a key component to Walton’s first State Championship in 2011 having both coached-up many of the players on the 2011 team at the Junior level and also playing a very key role in running the offseason program for the High School for several years. After the State Championship in 2011 that coincided with his son Ned’s graduation Mark followed Ned’s outstanding career at Lenoir-Rhyne while also continuing to give back at the Walton Jr level. Over the years Mark has coached and supported players at every level on both the boys and girls side of the game. Walton Lacrosse is not what it is today without Mark Kaish and the Kaish family.

Mark did so much but never looked for credit; whether it was coaching, helping set up fields, coordinating events, helping the Booster Club, stringing nets, financially supporting the program, coaching at Mt Bethel U11, working 7v7 events, announcing games, giving his input about the team or just being present and supportive. Mark was always there, doing so much with a smile and laugh that lit up a room.

While Mark was from Syracuse and liked the Orangemen, and was also a former player and alum of Duke who he followed closely, there is no questions that Walton was his true love. Mark was at just about every home game Walton HS played over the years and was its’ biggest fan, especially this past season. Ned shared that one of the last “normal” days he got to spend with his dad was at the State Championship game this past spring. Mark was as excited on that day as he was when he and his own son Ned won it all in 2011. It was a special day shared by Ned and his Dad and special day shared by Walton and Mark. This is the kind of man the he was, he was Walton Lacrosse in so many ways. Mark, you will be missed, and we humbly thank you for all that you did for our lacrosse community. Your impact will be forever felt, appreciated and remembered. God Bless. 123 RAIDERS...321FAMILY!!

Funeral Services will be at Mt Bethel United Methodist Church this week, details to follow.

We hope you are having an enjoyable and fun summer. We have two fantastic opportunities to raise funds for our championship program. The entire Lacrosse Raider Nation is encouraged to join in and support these two great opportunities.

Once again, our partner's at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen on Johnson Ferry Road) are giving back 20% of all dine in and take-out orders starting now through July 29th. All you have to do enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner at CPK and verbally share with your server that you are part of the Walton Lacrosse family and we will receive 20%.

Alumni, parents, players, junior Raiders and all Raider supporters are invited to leave a lasting legacy at the entrance of Raider Valley. With the completion of the campus The Foundation will complete the Raider Valley Commemorative Brick Wall Project this fall before November 1st. The wall will be completed with blue tiles across the top and bottom and landscaping in the planter at the base of the wall. To help finish this wall The Foundation is extending a fundraising opportunity to our Booster Club. For every brick purchased with Walton Boys Lacrosse booster club designated, we will receive $30.00. We would love to fill the wall with our lacrosse family and some State Champ bricks.

What a week it has been! A huge THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for the tremendous community support in what has been a magical season. A week ago today the boys Varsity team clinched the State Championship over Lambert and accomplished a long term goal. As an added bonus, that win helped seal for Walton High School the 2019 7A Director’s Cup.

The team store is now open for State Championship shirts and hat orders. STORE CLOSES Wednesday at 10pm.

We are so excited for our Raiders to take the field tomorrow to FINISH what they started last summer. All the work and preparation by the coaches, players and parents over the last year has paid off giving us a chance win a State Championship. From summer ball, speed and agility training, weight training, fall skill/drill sessions, fall Lassiter-league and into a long spring season that kicked off in January, we have reached our goal of being 1 of 2 teams still standing the last day of the season. Now just 1 more win to go.

Driving to KSU - Avoid 75/575 take the back roads or check WAZE before you leave because major construction and several lanes will shut down all weekend on 75/575 north and south.

Pregame tailgate – We don’t believe there will be a lot of time. Most of the Walton family will be leaving right from Walton after the bus pulls out. We can try to congregate in the parking lot for a brief tailgate if people want to drop a pin in the group message when they arrive at KSU.

IMORTANT Stadium Seating – We want to try and make sure the community sits together especially our junior Raiders. We believe only one side of the stadium will be open as it was last year. Sit directly across the field from our bench as close to the 50-yard line. Walton HS parents look for Susan Laug directing traffic she will be in the stadium early to stake it out. Look for the white and blue! Lambert is in black.

If you have out of town family the game will be streamed on the NFHS network. This is a subscription network which cost $9.95 for the month. They can join and then cancel after they watch it. So basically, it will cost $9.95 to watch the game from the comfort of their home if you cannot make the game. https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/explore/upcoming

What a great win Wednesday night and what an electric atmosphere we had in Raider Valley! The school spirit and support shown to the team was a huge contributing factor to the win. It was special to see everyone celebrate the victory on the field together and to feel the family atmosphere this is so real in our community. Hopefully that is a memory that will last forever.

Making a State Championship is a rare and difficult feat and should be celebrated. Winning the State Championship is the next opportunity in front of us and now all focus and attention is on Saturday’s game and the preparation.

We know the coaches will have the boys ready so now it’s up to Raider Nation to travel up 575/75 and bring that Raider pride and spirit on the road to KSU Stadium.

Game time on Saturday is 1PM but before you make the short drive please first come join us at 11AM to see the Team Bus off from Walton HS as they depart for KSU Stadium (bus leaves at 11:15AM). The coaches have requested our presence for the send off so let’s be there to start the day off right.

We need your help to fill Raider Valley tonight 7:30 game time. In anticipation of a big crowd our athletic director has made arrangements for multiple ways to purchase tickets. In addition to the normal methods for buying tickets at the ticket booth (two windows open tomorrow night) and the student presale (includes the shirt for $10) during school on Wednesday, tickets are also available on GoFan, either by downloading the GoFan app, adding Walton as your preferred school, and purchasing one or more tickets on your mobile device, or by clicking here to purchase online and print hardcopies from home. Thank you again Besson Family for promoting our WHITE OUT!!

After 13 years, friends, neighbors, and club teammates meet on opposite sides of the field for the final AJO4LAX Fest tournament, benefitting the Andrew Oswald Memorial Fund. Blessed Trinity, Johns Creek, Lambert, Lassiter, Pope, Walton, Westminster, and Woodward Academy men's lacrosse teams celebrated the sport and the mission of AJO4LAX with a day filled with lacrosse and friendly competition

Once again, our lacrosse players are giving back to their community! In November, our players visited Eastside Elementary to help those students with the numerous bags of food that were collected for the less privileged. Our boys worked side-by side the younger students to move all the bags of food from classrooms to waiting cars and trucks. It was a heartwarming sight to see our players interacting and laughing with the elementary school students. In December, members of our teams made over a hundred sandwiches for OPEN DOOR and then shopped, cooked and delivered a hot breakfast to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald house. Their sausage, egg and cheese biscuits were a huge hit! The players forged many bonds with the families and were a welcoming sight on a cold, wet December morning.